Black Friday: How to bag a bargain and dodge the scammers

Black Friday often promises huge savings, but urgent countdowns and too-good-to-be-true deals can cost you more than you save. Here's how to shop smart and stay safe.

Black Friday may be set for 27 November, and Cyber Monday for 30 November here in NZ, but the build-up has already started. Emails, posters, and ads all tout huge savings.

But Black Friday deals aren't always what they seem. Get caught up in the rush and those 'savings' could leave you with a debt hangover just in time for Christmas if you’re not careful.

So before you hit 'buy', take five. These five tips, based on information from Sorted.org.nz, will help make sure the sales work for you, not the other way around.

1. Shop with a list

2. Would you still want it at full price?

Ask yourself this before you click. Sorted warns that deals like 'buy one, get the second half price' can make it look like we're saving, when we may not need the second item, or even the first.

Its advice: "do the maths" first, and only buy what really benefits you and your bank account.

3. Do your homework

Sorted suggests skipping the mall and shopping from your laptop instead. You'll avoid the crowds, and it's easier to compare deals without a salesperson following you around.

Price comparison sites such as Pricespy.co.nz show what different retailers are charging for the same product, along with its price history. That way you can tell whether a 'sale' price really is a bargain, or just last month's price with a red sticker.

Sorted recommends shopping on a trusted Wi-Fi network rather than a public one and checking that the web address starts with https://. If you're buying from a business you haven't heard of, look them up before you hand over your money. (More on staying safe online below.)

4. Think twice about buy now, pay later

The buzz of a sale can tempt us into spending beyond what we can afford, and buy now, pay later services make that even easier.

Sorted says we should remember that using products like Afterpay is basically spending tomorrow's money today. If you use a product like this, make sure you have a plan to pay it back on time. Miss a payment and the late fees could wipe out whatever you saved.

5. Read the fine print

Don't let the excitement rush you past the terms and conditions. Sale items often can't be returned. And what does delivery cost? Can you swap sizes if it doesn't fit? This all matters.

Beware of online tricks

You know what you want, you've checked the prices, and you've set a budget. The last step is making sure you don't get scammed.

Netsafe is expecting scammers to up their game ahead of Black Friday and Christmas, so now is not the time to drop your guard.

Its Digital Transformation and AI Implementation Lead, Alex Yi, wants people to make sure they’ve switched on their scam radar.

"When people are shopping online, particularly when they're buying gifts or trying to make their money stretch further, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of a bargain and click before checking whether the seller or website is legitimate.

"Taking a few extra seconds to stop and check can make a big difference."

Netsafe's tips for safer online shopping:

• Stop before you click. If a deal looks unusually cheap, or you're being pushed to buy right now, take a moment to check it out.
• Check the seller. Look for independent reviews and information about the business, rather than relying on reviews or testimonials on its own website.
• Be wary of urgency. Countdown clocks, 'almost sold out' warnings and offers that last only minutes can be designed to make you act before you think.
• Check the website. Scammers can build convincing copies of real businesses' sites, so check the web address carefully and make sure you're on the genuine one.
• Think about payment. Be cautious if a seller asks you to pay outside a legitimate platform or by an unusual method.
• Protect your personal information. Only give the details needed to complete the purchase.

Keep in mind that the best bargain is one you don’t regret in January.


The advice given here is general and does not constitute specific advice to any person.

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